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Alex Iwobi is discussing the multi-coloured braids in his hair and how even his hairdo has assisted his football in what he views as his finest start to a Premier League season so far.

'Yeah, that really plays a part (in revealing myself),' the Fulham midfielder says.
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'My daddy's in your house and he's most likely heard me. He didn't like that I coloured my hair. I got tired and didn't want to suffice off so I thought let's do something different that nobody else has. I literally informed the hair stylist to 'reveal yourself' but not too wild. It's wild due to the fact that it's red and purple at the minute but I like it. My father's accepted it now so I'm simple.'

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired 19-year-old who made his Arsenal launching under Arsene Wenger in 2015.

Iwobi firmly insists that he's always had the state of mind of sensation like there's more to life than football but has actually just expressed himself more in recent years, going to Paris Fashion Week, launching singles and launching his charitable foundation, Project 17.

'It's constantly been my hobby to do music, charity work and things in style. But it's only recently that I have actually been expressing myself a lot more, to show people that I am not simply a footballer. There is more to life, he says.

Alexi Iwobi has actually made his finest start to a Premier League season with 5 objectives in 15 matches

The 28-year-old says his multi-coloured braids have added to his on-pitch improvement

It's a plain contrast from the short-haired teenager who made his debut under Arsene Wenger
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This weekend, the 28-year-old will have his work cut out as Fulham take on league leaders Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday and on Sunday, he will be back in London feeding 100 households for Christmas as part of Project 17.

For one day, there will be an AleXpress in Canning Town, his hometown, where everything will be totally free in a regional supermarket.

'You understand what Liverpool are like - it's going to be an intense video game however whether I get cramp or have no hamstrings, I will be there on Sunday,' Iwobi stresses.

'In your home I was raised in, my daddy naturally simply gave back. To people in Nigeria, to his family and even people in the street - he would just purchase bottles of water and provide to neighbours. Seeing how my mum and dad are has actually influenced me to offer to others, whether they are lucky or less lucky. With the position I am in, I seem like it's only right with the influence I have that I provide back too.'

Through these initiatives off the pitch, Iwobi believes is the secret to his success on the pitch too. The Nigerian has already scored more goals than in any other season, with five in the league for a Fulham side that is simply 2 points behind fifth-placed Nottingham Forest.

'As a child you wish to do your finest to impress the supervisor and desire everyone to understand you are totally concentrated on football. But it (freedom) comes with age, being totally free and not being pressed about negative remarks. If it's positive, you don't mind the criticism,' he says.

'You have to be strong psychologically. Players succeed when they're confident and with me, feeling great to express myself on and off the pitch, I practically feel unstoppable. And when you have individuals that back you, it really plays a part.'

One of those people that backs him is Marco Silva, who signed Iwobi for ₤ 35M at Everton from Arsenal in 2019, and didn't be reluctant when he had the opportunity to bring him back to London on Deadline Day last year. After his brace versus Brighton last week, Silva stated it was Iwobi's 'best season in the Premier League so far' and he agrees.

The 28-year-old will feed 100 households on Sunday for Christmas as part of Project 17

Iwobi insists that he's constantly had the mindset of feeling like there's more to life than football

Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to release a single with his launching song 'Don't Shoot' and in November launched a follow-up 'What's Luv?'

'I have actually been included in a lot of objectives, contributing a lot, and defensively I have been working well. You might state it's my best start to the season - I just need to keep it going and ensure it's my finest season. That's the objective' says Iwobi, who credits Silva for giving him 'the license to express' himself. 'It's good to have a manager who offers you the to do that,' he says.
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Earlier this year, Iwobi ended up being the first Premier League footballer to launch a single with his debut song 'Don't Shoot' and in November released a follow-up 'What's Luv?' which is referred to as an event of his African roots with a blend of Afro-Swing blended with Rap".

It's likewise a tune that Silva's enjoying in the dressing room, with Fulham making their best start to a top-flight season given that 2003-04.

'I do not get it on in the dressing space but when you have team-mates like Calvin Bassey, he simply can't help himself, Iwobi reveals.

'He is tapping the supervisor to listen to the tune. The very first time he (Silva) heard 'What's Luv?' he was just vibing like, 'is this Alex?' and Calvin resembled 'yes it's Alex!' He stated it wasn't bad. I understand the very first time he didn't understand what was stated however he delighted in the beat. So it's a win-win.

'Everyone vibes with it and I'm having great feedback from the team - even the people who do not speak English as their mother tongue like the Brazilians, they're vibing too,' adds Iwobi.

Silva's strategy at Everton was to develop around the midfielder however he was sacked 4 months after signing Iwobi. Then Carlo Ancelotti played him out of position while Rafa Benitez hardly played him at all.

Iwobi would travel across the M62 to Manchester and play seven-a-side with his mates in disguise to enjoy his football again. Now that pleasure has been rediscovered after his ₤ 22M move in 2015.

'Everyone's mindset is one for all and all for one so that's definitely assisting us this season. We've been having group meals and bonding and that's brought a great deal of togetherness, states Iwobi.

Marco Silva initially signed the Nigerian at Everton then brought him to Fulham later on in 2023

Iwobi will have his work eliminated as Fulham handle league leaders Liverpool at Anfield

'Even when Sander (Berge) and Joa (Andersen) signed, they took us out to consume. We arranged a trip to Paris to clear our heads (after the Wolves loss), came back then went once again with the Tottenham and Brighton results. We seem like we're all set to fly and we can do anything together.'

Another group meal is organised for midweek ahead of a run of 3 video games in 7 days over Christmas. 'The gaffer desires to take us out. That's another little totally free food so I'm not grumbling,' jokes Iwobi. 'It's truly good. It resembles one huge family.'

But first, Fulham will head to Anfield with belief, having taken points from Arsenal recently and directly losing at Man City in October in a game where Pep Guardiola had plenty of credit for Fulham.

'It reveals we have the ability to complete with anyone. We are not terrified. Hopefully it will be the same versus Liverpool. We are going there to get a result,' Iwobi insists.

Get something at Anfield and Arne Slot's league-leaders might well be hearing 'What's Luv' blasting out from the away dressing space.

FulhamAlex Iwobi